2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2020 Toyota Sienna

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, in its third generation, had been around since the 2011 model year and received updates in 2018. Despite these updates, the 2020 version still felt somewhat dated, with occasional upscale touches. The front doors emitted a hollow "thud" when closed, indicating a lack of attention to fit and finish. The instrument panel appeared to be from Toyota's 2010 parts bin, though its simplicity made the controls easy to use. The Sienna offered various trim levels, including CE, LE, SE, and XLE, each with distinct features. The base CE trim was well-equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay. The LE trim added family-friendly features like sliding dual power side doors and heated front seats. The SE trim included a power liftgate and leather upholstery, while the XLE added luxury touches like a power moonroof and woodgrain accents. The XLE Limited offered premium leather seats, a JBL audio system, and HID headlights. For those seeking a stylish minivan, the Nightshade Edition added dark accents and 19-inch wheels.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared much of its design with the regular Atlas but featured a lower roofline and aggressively raked rear hatch. This design aimed to blend SUV ruggedness with car-like features, though the styling was somewhat unconventional. The Cross Sport was shorter and lower than the seven-seat Atlas, with the same wheelbase. It rode on VW's MQB platform, which underpinned many of the automaker's models. Standard LED exterior lighting, including headlights and taillights, was a feature across all trims. The Trendline and Comfortline trims had 18-inch alloy wheels, while the Highline and Execline offered larger wheels. The R-Line package added sportier exterior styling. Inside, the Cross Sport had a minimalist design, but the materials felt subpar, with rubbery leather and hard plastics. The interior colour scheme was dark, and the flat-bottom steering wheel seemed out of place. Despite these drawbacks, the Cross Sport offered competitive interior space, with ample front-seat and rear-seat legroom, though rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 296 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Sienna offered a Sport mode for livelier throttle and shift response, and a manual mode for towing up to 1,587 kilograms. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on most trims, providing an advantage in inclement weather. The Sienna's fuel efficiency varied, with the FWD model achieving 12.6 L/100 km in the city and 9.1 on the highway, while AWD versions returned 13.4 L/100 km city and 9.6 highway. The Sienna's low centre of gravity and broad base contributed to decent handling dynamics, though its steering response was twitchy at higher speeds.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two powertrain options: a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-litre VR6 engine with 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The VR6 engine provided lively acceleration from a stop, but midrange performance was less impressive. The ride quality was harsh, with noticeable bumps and potholes, and the cabin allowed wind and tire noise. The Cross Sport's handling was truck-like, with significant body roll and loose steering. The VR6 model had a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms, while the four-cylinder model could tow 907 kilograms. AWD versions featured Active Control with multiple drive modes and 20.3 centimetres of ground clearance.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna excelled in cargo space, offering 4,247 litres, surpassing competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey. However, accessing this space required removing the second-row seats, which could be cumbersome. The third-row seats folded seamlessly into the floor, but getting into the backseat was challenging. Toyota offered mobility access features, including a built-in rotating lift seat, making the Sienna a practical choice for those needing accessibility options.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport provided competitive interior space, with ample front-seat and rear-seat legroom. However, rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was above average, with 1,141 litres with the rear seats in place and 2,203 litres with them folded. The second-row seats featured a 60/40 split-fold and 14-degree backrest recline. Highline and Execline trims added a foot-activated tailgate. The Cross Sport included various storage options, such as cargo nets, cupholders, and a centre console.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna's base CE trim featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, a long-awaited addition. Higher trims offered an 8-inch screen, navigation, and a JBL 10-speaker audio system. The XLE Limited trim included Driver Easy Speak, an intercom system for communicating with rear passengers. The Sienna's tech offerings were practical and family-friendly.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two infotainment systems: the MIB2 system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen on the Trendline trim, and the MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen on higher trims. Both systems included USB-C ports, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The MIB3 system added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. Execline models featured the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit and a 12-speaker Fender audio system. The Digital Cockpit allowed for customizable displays, while analog controls made basic functions easy to access.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) suite, including lane-departure alert, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and dynamic cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims. The Sienna earned five stars from the NHTSA and top scores from the IIHS, making it a safe choice for families.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport received top scores from the IIHS, though headlight ratings varied. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. Unique to the Cross Sport were the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System. New for 2021 were Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, offering advanced driver-assist capabilities.